How to Become a Registered Dietitian

Eligibility for Dietitian Registration, as established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly known as the American Dietetic Association), requires completion of three steps, in the order listed:

1. Didactic Program in Dietetics

Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD) are bachelor's degrees with specific courses to meet the didactic (knowledge) guidelines set by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Note: Each educational institution defines the specific courses which constitute their DPD program.

If this is your first bachelor’s degree, the ASU Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) consists of the completion of a bachelor's degree in nutrition with a concentration in dietetics. This concentration provides all of the specific courses to meet the didactic/knowledge guidelines set by the AND. The ASU Dietetic Concentration has been granted Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another area and you wish to complete the ASU DPD, you must complete the following roster of DPD classes. Most students can earn a second BS degree in Nutrition-Dietetics from ASU upon completion of these DPD courses, without additional general studies courses. Please see an academic advisor for help reviewing your transcripts.

Upon completion of these courses, you will receive a Verification Statement signed by the ASU DPD Director, Traci Grgich MS, RD, SNS, CP-FS (Traci.Grgich@asu.edu).

Note: All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or above in order to meet the ASU/DPD standards. This requirement may exceed University graduation requirements, which may define a grade of "D" or above as passing. Students coming to ASU from other programs must complete a minimum of 15 semester hours of upper-division NTR courses at ASU, including nine semester hours from the following:

NTR 440 - Advanced Human Nutrition I (Micronutrients)

NTR 441 - Advanced Human Nutrition II (Macronutrients)

NTR 444 - Medical Nutrition Therapy II

NTR 446 - Medical Nutrition Therapy III

2. Practicum/Internship

Students must complete a professional practicum program, called a dietetic internship. This step is independent of the undergraduate degree program. Students wishing to complete this step generally apply to internships during their last semester of their coursework.

More information about internship programs are available from the DPD Director or at: